Argument and Debate I gives students the opportunity to use the discipline of rhetoric in order to structurally discuss the world around them. In this course, students will use the constructions of rhetoric, the structure of formal debates, the foundations of historic and analytical research, and their ability to synthesize multiple resources in order to create verbal and written fact-based persuasive arguments, structurally displayed through four different debate styles. The purpose of this course is to enable students to understand the organization and foundations of rhetoric, allowing students to discover the power of proper communication and its ability to connect and transform the development of their surrounding community.
MAJOR CONCEPTS:
• Key Elements of Rhetoric • Source Analysis • Source Synthesis • Formal Debate Structure: ÏLincoln-Douglas Debate ÏCross-Examination/Policy Debate ÏParliamentary Debate • Historic and Analytical Research • Source Documentation • Persuasive Writing • Expository Writing • Reflection
THINKING SKILLS: Through structured and varied activities, students will develop the following skills:
1. Comparing and Contrasting
2. Identifying cause and effect
3. Problem solving
4. Identifying values
5. Hypothesizing
6. Analyzing
7. Evaluating
8. Assessing and Identifying Continuity and Change
9. Synthesizing
ASSESSMENTS: Students will be assessed in the following ways throughout the duration of the course:
ÏMultiple-Choice Questions Tests ÏDocument-Based Questions Essays ÏVerbal and Written Expositions ÏPersuasive Essays ÏLincoln-Douglas Debates ÏCross-Examination/Policy Debates ÏParliamentary Debates ÏBi-weekly Vocabulary Quizzes ÏBi-weekly Grammar Quizzes ÏWeekly Free-Writing Activities ÏSmall group work ÏRubrics
INSTRUCTIONAL SKILLS: Teachers will utilize the following pedagogical skills in delivering the curriculum:
1. Student driven discussion and debate
2. Modeling
3. Cooperative Learning
4. Lecturing
5. Mapping/Outlining
GRADING SCALE (%): 100 to 90 = A 89 to 80 = B 79 to 70 = C 69 to 60 = D Below 59 = F
WEIGHTED CATEGORIES:Grades are calculated according to the following formula: 10%Tests 25%Quizzes 20%Homework/Classroom Assignments 20%Projects 25%Essays
ATTENDANCE:
Students are expected to attend all classes. When a student cannot attend class he/she must follow all necessary school policy and must provide valid reasoning for the missed class period. All absent students will be responsible for making-up any and all missed assignments.Students are directly responsible for first consulting with a classmate for missed materials. Consult with the teacher for missed handouts.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Each student must fulfill his or her academic obligation by an honest, independent effort. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students who engage in academic dishonesty will be penalized. Activities that constitute academic dishonesty and the possible penalties are discussed in detail in the student handbook.
STUDENT CONDUCT:
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner that ensures the continually reinforcement of a safe and appropriate environment. Students must conduct themselves so others will not be distracted from the pursuit of learning. Students may be disciplined for any conduct which constitutes a hazard to the health, safety, or well being of members of the school community, or which is deemed detrimental to the culture of the classroom and school community. REQUIRED MATERIALS: Students are required to come prepared with the required text and following supplies:
1. One (1) Three-ring Binder
2. Two (2) One Subject Spiral Notebooks
3. Loose-leaf notebook paper
4. Pens
5. At least three (3) differentcolor Highlighters
ARGUMENT AND DEBATE I
Instructor: Mrs. Turner
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Argument and Debate I gives students the opportunity to use the discipline of rhetoric in order to structurally discuss the world around them. In this course, students will use the constructions of rhetoric, the structure of formal debates, the foundations of historic and analytical research, and their ability to synthesize multiple resources in order to create verbal and written fact-based persuasive arguments, structurally displayed through four different debate styles. The purpose of this course is to enable students to understand the organization and foundations of rhetoric, allowing students to discover the power of proper communication and its ability to connect and transform the development of their surrounding community.
MAJOR CONCEPTS:
• Key Elements of Rhetoric
• Source Analysis
• Source Synthesis
• Formal Debate Structure:
Ï Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Ï Cross-Examination/Policy Debate
Ï Parliamentary Debate
• Historic and Analytical Research
• Source Documentation
• Persuasive Writing
• Expository Writing
• Reflection
THINKING SKILLS:
Through structured and varied activities, students will develop the following skills:
1. Comparing and Contrasting
2. Identifying cause and effect
3. Problem solving
4. Identifying values
5. Hypothesizing
6. Analyzing
7. Evaluating
8. Assessing and Identifying Continuity and Change
9. Synthesizing
ASSESSMENTS:
Students will be assessed in the following ways throughout the duration of the course:
ÏMultiple-Choice Questions Tests
ÏDocument-Based Questions Essays
ÏVerbal and Written Expositions
ÏPersuasive Essays
ÏLincoln-Douglas Debates
ÏCross-Examination/Policy Debates
ÏParliamentary Debates
ÏBi-weekly Vocabulary Quizzes
ÏBi-weekly Grammar Quizzes
ÏWeekly Free-Writing Activities
ÏSmall group work
ÏRubrics
INSTRUCTIONAL SKILLS:
Teachers will utilize the following pedagogical skills in delivering the curriculum:
1. Student driven discussion and debate
2. Modeling
3. Cooperative Learning
4. Lecturing
5. Mapping/Outlining
100 to 90 = A
89 to 80 = B
79 to 70 = C
69 to 60 = D
Below 59 = F
10% Tests
25% Quizzes
20% Homework/Classroom
Assignments
20% Projects
25% Essays
Students are expected to attend all classes. When a student cannot attend class he/she must follow all necessary school policy and must provide valid reasoning for the missed class period. All absent students will be responsible for making-up any and all missed assignments.Students are directly responsible for first consulting with a classmate for missed materials. Consult with the teacher for missed handouts.
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Each student must fulfill his or her academic obligation by an honest, independent effort. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Students who engage in academic dishonesty will be penalized. Activities that constitute academic dishonesty and the possible penalties are discussed in detail in the student handbook.
STUDENT CONDUCT:
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a responsible and respectful manner that ensures the continually reinforcement of a safe and appropriate environment. Students must conduct themselves so others will not be distracted from the pursuit of learning. Students may be disciplined for any conduct which constitutes a hazard to the health, safety, or well being of members of the school community, or which is deemed detrimental to the culture of the classroom and school community.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Students are required to come prepared with the required text and following supplies:
1. One (1) Three-ring Binder
2. Two (2) One Subject Spiral Notebooks
3. Loose-leaf notebook paper
4. Pens
5. At least three (3) different color Highlighters